Author's Note: Dearest readers, it's my birthday! I'm so excited for my special day to fall on a Friday this year, allowing me to share a birthday special! Enjoy today's adventure and long live your imaginations.
~ Michael
GoldenHeart Stories Presents...
A Michael J. Pineda Production...
The Frozen Force Author's Birthday Special
Chapter: 76 Broken Memories
"True honor resides in a life well-lived."
Jedi liberators! After a valiant joint operation, the Republic has put an end to Cruella's vile plans. Following the criminal's sudden demise, her longtime colleague Clayton has vowed revenge. Meanwhile, Jedi Knights Anna and Elsa Dellian face a new challenge back at the temple. After years of keeping the girls in the dark, their former masters are prepared to reveal the truth...
"This is Belle O'Har broadcasting live from the Coruscant Rose. Word's traveling fast across the galaxy as Republic forces have shut down a horrid fur trading operation on Sorgan. Run by nefarious Crimson Dawn underboss, Cruella, this dark system was kidnapping innocent lives throughout the stars. While those she and her accomplices captured have been liberated, the Republic is now working to find other syndicate members. Cruella is confirmed to have been killed during the rescue mission, raising questions over whether or not someone in the underworld will replace her. Given Cruella's heinous actions, let us all hope that her blood-stained shoes are never filled. But where are the heroes of this daring rescue? Having witnessed the Republic's finest in action firsthand, I wouldn't be surprised if they're already gearing up for more heroics as we speak."
Anna's fingers pattered away at her handheld console. Her body lay sprawled across a temple couch while her head sunk into one of the pillows. Her face was practically buried in the game's bright screen as a tiny, sword-swinging figure dashed across it. "Kriff," she whispered as several hulking Gamorreans surrounded her character. Her brows furrowed as her thumbs quickened their pace. "Stab," she mumbled to herself. "Dodge...Block! Block!...Jump..." Anna grimaced as her character took damage. "Jump!" she asserted. "Kriffing jump!" Her character didn't react in time and the Gamorrean AI smashed her into pixels. "Ugh!" she groaned and slammed a fist against her pillow.
Elsa had grown accustomed to hearing the irksome 'GAME OVER' alert ringing from Anna's device. But her patience was wearing thin after her sister's repeated deaths. "Do you mind?" Elsa grumbled and raised a brow at her.
Anna huffed and sat upright, yielding at least a little more room for Elsa. "I'll just mute the game," she said.
"You're also quite...lively when you play," Elsa added.
"I get invested, okay?" Anna defended. "I can't help it if I'm a Legend of Zara master."
"Your thirty-two deaths say otherwise," Elsa murmured.
Anna's eyes widened as her body stiffened. "Oh," she winced. "You've...been counting?" Rather than answer, Elsa simply sighed and leaned against the couch's arm. Anna leaned over the opposite end as if an invisible barrier had split the siblings apart. Unwilling to keep playing her game, yet unsure how long the two of them would be waiting, Anna started fidgeting. Her heels battered the bottom of the couch while Elsa tried to relax. She broke the silence just as her sister spoke up again. "Well, this is awkward."
Elsa smacked her lips, yet tried to remain balanced. "Yes it is," she calmly replied.
"So..." Anna muttered. "How long do you think they'll keep us waiting?"
"I don't know."
"It feels like it's been forever."
"It hasn't..."
Anna swallowed hard and grimaced at her sister. "Jeez," she whispered before sighing again.
"Something else you'd like to say?" Elsa grumbled.
Anna couldn't beat around the bush any longer. "Yeah," she answered. "I take it my apology wasn't good enough? How many more times do I need to say that I'm sorry about what happened? But it was a legitimate accident. Why can you practice 'forgiveness and acceptance' on total strangers but not on me?"
Elsa immediately shook her head. "Anna," she intoned. "I know it was an accident. And believe it or not, I have forgiven you. It's the acceptance part that I'm struggling with."
"What do you mean?" Anna asked, inching closer on the couch.
Letting down her guard, Elsa frustratedly buried her face in her palms. "We strive to bring freedom to the galaxy. But that very freedom is what determines whether someone chooses a lighter or darker path. Maybe you were right about Cruella and that she couldn't be reasoned with by her own resolve. The same could've been true for Dordo. For while I don't believe anyone is inherently evil, I-" Elsa took a deep breath. "-have to understand that their choices are still their own." She clenched her fists as if wringing an invisible neck. "Sometimes I wish I could just shake some sense into them!" she growled. "Show them that I was just trying to help." Her anger simmered as her voice dropped to a sorrowful whisper. "But death keeps following, and I'm left feeling...feeling-"
"Helpless?" Anna inquired. Elsa glanced at her sister and solemnly nodded. "It's the worst," she said. "To feel like you're not in any control over a situation."
"Is anyone ever really in control?" Elsa questioned.
"Oh don't get all philosophical on me," Anna teased and nudged her. "I've certainly felt like I've been in control of some situations."
Elsa gently shoved her back. "The ones where you're brawling your way through some hapless folks?"
"Maybe," Anna chuckled. "The point is, I get feeling helpless at times and wanting to change that."
"But I can't be like you, Anna." Elsa intoned. "There are lines you've crossed that I never will...again."
Anna could see the pain festering within Elsa's eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, trying to be more considerate. "This all must be very hard for you." In those moments, she recalled Kristoff's supportive words to her and asked, "What do you need?"
Elsa faintly smiled at Anna's effort. "Right now I need to find my place amidst this war," she said. "I've chosen my path, but I'm lost as to where it fits in all of this. My principles made me give up on the 213th, and with them under new leadership..." Elsa shook her head. "I feel like it's too late to make amends." She winced at the thought of her former unit. "Commander Frost probably hates me by now."
"Hates you?" Anna scoffed. "Are we talking about the same Frost? I've only met him a few times, but that guy loves you."
Elsa's cheeks suddenly brightened to an alarmingly red hue. "What?" she blurted at a startlingly high volume.
Anna flinched at her response and said, "He loves you. It's not weird. My brothers love me too. I mean, Blazer's my best friend."
Elsa simmered down and fidgeted with her bun. "Right," she muttered while her gaze wandered across the floor. "Right, right." Suddenly, Elsa became the impatient one. "What is taking Yelena and Mattias so long?" she asked while rapidly tapping her foot.
"Whatever it is-" Anna began. "-it must be super important for all of this secrecy." Her eyes widened as a thought crossed her mind. "Wait...is it someone's birthday today? Are we planning a surprise party?"
Elsa wrinkled her nose and answered, "I don't think so. Yelena looked pretty serious."
"She always looks serious. Maybe it's her birthday. Or Master Yoda's! Or-"
In that instant, a distinct set of chattering emanated from beyond the lounge room door. "That doesn't sound good," Elsa worried as Yelena and Mattias squabbled with each other. Their silhouettes danced and swirled across the doorframe, matching the intensity of their words. The duo's bickering culminated with a resigned sigh before they both came stumbling in. Between Elsa's attuned senses and Anna's blatant staring, the sisters could tell their old masters were nervous wrecks. Mattias and Yelena looked like hostages to their own words, cautiously tiptoeing through a minefield of emotions.
"Well," Mattias started and was hardly able to clear his throat.
"You see," Yelena tried speaking up.
"Oh for kriff's sake," Anna blurted and crossed her arms. "What the heck is all of this about? It's freaking me out! Is one of you sick or something-"
"Anna," Elsa scolded until the thought crossed her mind too. She gulped and looked at the masters. "Is one of you sick?"
"No!" Mattias huffed. "This just isn't the easiest subject. We haven't always been the most straightforward with you both."
"But you girls deserve the truth," Yelena added and sulked. "All of it." Elsa and Anna exchanged suspicious glances as the master continued. "This is about Aren."
"Our homeworld," Elsa uttered.
"This old news?" Anna grumbled. "Come on. The planet's messed up. So messed up, that our own parents left us for dead. So what else is there to know?"
Mattias sighed until Yelena rubbed his back for reassurance. "The fact that they didn't," he said. Anna raised a brow while Elsa leaned in.
"What?" the youngest Dellian inquired.
"Your parents didn't abandon you," Mattias explained. "They made...a difficult choice."
Anna scoffed and slouched back into the cushions. "Same difference."
"Wait, sis." Elsa intoned. "Please," she urged her elders. "Continue."
Mattias peered at Yelena as if the spotlight had turned to her. She took a deep breath and sat up. "Where to begin?" she muttered. "I suppose the real story should start with Mattias and I. You see, the Aren we grew up in as children was much different. The monarchy was respected, yet never held any sort of violent dominion over the land. At the time, borders were meant to distinguish provinces instead of militarized war zones. Force sensitivity was a rarity on Aren, so we stuck out like sore thumbs. Mattias and I were found by Jedi Seekers and brought to train here on Coruscant."
"Much like you, Elsa," Mattias added. "We longed to return to our homeworld upon becoming knights. And we did! For many years, we'd take visits to Aren and monitor its political climate."
Yelena sighed when she recalled those days. "But despite our efforts as a Jedi Guardian and Consular, we couldn't stop the rising tensions. Some worlds respected a Jedi's say, while others like Aren became less inclined to listen."
"Especially given the fact that we were Aren Jedi," Mattias affirmed. "Our people felt betrayed by us. While it wasn't true, they believed we saw them as inferiors and had come to lecture them on the ways of the galaxy. Help became a hindrance in their eyes. Aren's king wanted nothing to do with the Order and denounced us as no longer being members of society."
"But who is anyone to decree someone else's value?" Elsa asked.
"The king sounds like a sleemo," Anna mumbled.
Yelena pursed her lips before responding. "That 'sleemo' was your grandfather." Anna's brows unknitted while Elsa gasped. Yelena confirmed her statement with a nod and said, "King Runeard's harsh doctrine sent Mattias and I on separate paths. While he willingly renounced Aren, I couldn't leave my people behind. But over the years, tensions on Aren only escalated. Runeard pushed for territorial expansions and broke treaty after treaty to achieve desired resources. While my old master and I stayed to keep the peace, there was only so much we could do for a king who didn't want it. Runeard's fear-mongering and hateful campaigns only fanned the flames of war. He was ultimately assassinated amidst such turmoil."
Elsa bit her lip as she processed Yelena's story. "But that would make our parents the next rulers of Aren," she realized. A deep sorrow filled her heart as she rubbed her temples. "The rest of the chaos," she uttered. "All of the division. Did they-"
"No," Yelena intoned. "Elsa...Anna...I swear to you with every fiber of my being that your parents were nothing like Runeard. They sought to right his wrongs. Where he created division, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna strived for unity. Even their connection was founded in love betwixt war."
"I don't understand," Anna griped.
"Your mother was a member of the Northuldra people," Yelena replied. "Just as I am." It pained her to say so when her own people didn't see her as such. "They'd first met when Northuldra and Aren forces clashed during one of Runeard's campaigns. Your parents were serving on opposite sides of the conflict and each became the first objectors to their cause. They chose to meet with a handshake on the battlefield, and that gesture sparked as much of an outrage as it did a revolution." Elsa smiled softly at the thought of her mysterious parents electing the path of peace. While she continued listening intently, Anna was twitchy and barely responsive. The redhead looked as though every piece of information was wrenching at her heart.
"Your parents were willing to listen to the people," Yelena continued. "But by then, the situation had escalated far beyond their control. Mattias was long gone, so my former master and I did what we could to provide support. However, Runeard's divisive legacy had left durable foundations. Agnarr's marriage to Iduna brought further strife as more borders were drawn up. We were constantly working to quell the populace, never aware of what was lurking beneath the surface." A subtle smile found its way to Yelena's lips. "And yet, they were still able to find life amidst so much death." She eyed the sisters and said, "The Force blessed them with two wonderful daughters."
"Not wonderful enough apparently," Anna mumbled.
"Your parents loved you more than anything," Yelena asserted in a harsh tone she seldom used. "Enough to risk everything for your lives."
"Yelena?" Elsa worriedly inquired. "What...happened to them?"
The elder sighed and mentally prepared herself. Mattias held her hand as she took her thoughts back to those fateful times. "Nothing your parents could do for Aren was ever good enough," she lamented. "They chose to see the best in everyone, and those same people let them down. Insurrections rose up from within Aren's government. They deemed Agnarr and Iduna unfit to rule and staged a violent coup. With thousands of supporters rallied to their cause, there was little any of us could do." Elsa could sense Yelena's pain as the elder shook her head. "The attacks came at night. I still remember hearing screams in the streets as glass shattered all around us..."
A young Jedi stood by a frost-covered window. Her golden brown tresses glowed under a nearby power cell. With the rest of the capital under a blackout, she watched as a swarm of rioters approached the castle.
"Yelena," a voice called to her. "Yelena!"
Yelena gasped and snapped herself out of her fearful trance. "Coming, Willo!" She dashed down the shadowy corridor and approached an elderly, green-skinned woman. Adorned in leaf-like robes, this botanical humanoid hurriedly beckoned her closer. Yelena had known the Sylphe since she was her Padawan. When she'd seen how devoted Yelena had become to saving Aren, Master Dellian Willo had chosen to aid her former student.
"Get away from the windows," Willo said while assisting castle staff.
"Are they coming this way?" a protocol droid worried.
"I'm afraid so," Willo concluded and turned to a young couple. "Your majesties," she said. "There's nothing more you can do for Aren. At least not from here. We must evacuate you to the Republic."
The king stepped forward and into the nearest power cell's light. His thin mustache quivered while his determined, green gaze focused on Willo. "We cannot abandon Aren now," he said. "Not when they need us most. I know it seems like the majority is against us, but I know we still have supporters out there. Those who are still striving for unity."
"Agnarr," Iduna said and took his hand. Her dark brown bun vividly contrasted against his auburn locks as she pulled him close. "The Jedi has a point."
"And what about your people?" Agnarr asked and caught Yelena's attention. "If we leave, you know the Aren will target the Northuldra first. Even if we speak out and fight from afar, how many will die in the delay?" Iduna hung her head and realized the truth to his words. Despite Agnarr's stoic visage, there was sorrow in his eyes as he turned towards the windows. He hunched forward as the sounds of rioters loudened in the courtyard. "All we've done is try to repair what my father severed," he whispered. "How did it come to this?"
"Papa?" a child's voice called and his heart sank. "Mama?" All eyes listed to a bedroom door where a toddler stood hugging herself. Her blonde hair was bunched into a single, fishtail braid and she looked as though she'd just awakened. "I had a bad dream." Her bright blue eyes fluttered as she squinted towards the windows. "What's going on?"
"Elsa," Iduna fretted and held her child close. "Stay back, darling." An infant's wails sounded from the bedroom and Iduna's head snapped up. "Anna," she gasped. She gripped Elsa by the shoulders and said, "Wait here."
While the queen ran for her youngest child, Elsa was left to wander amongst the others. Her worried eyes observed Agnarr as he conversed with soldiers still loyal to him. She curiously tilted her head when she caught Yelena glancing at her. Elsa had often seen Jedi speaking with her parents and she wondered if they had anything to do with the night's occurrences. Iduna returned with an infant in her arms. Despite the chaos raging outside, she desperately tried to shush and soothe little Anna. Her eyes darted towards the window when a rogue laser struck the glass. Elsa screamed while Anna cried all over again.
"We need to move," Willo intoned. "Now!"
A captain gripped Agnarr's arm and firmly nodded to him. "My troops and I will buy you as much time as we can," he said. The king could hear the grievousness in his tone. "It's...been an honor, your majesty." The captain readied his blaster and rushed downstairs.
"There's a ship on the upper platform," Agnarr said.
Suddenly, a tremendous crash sounded from the castle foyer. "They're inside!" a soldier yelled as laserfire erupted. Rioters smashed open windows, permitting their uproarious voices to be heard. Amidst the chaos, the castle staff gathered what they could and scattered in multiple directions.
"No!" Iduna warned. "Stay together!"
"Mama?" Elsa worried and clutched her mother's hand. "I'm scared."
"I know, sweetheart," the queen said. "But it's going to be alright." She turned to her husband and clenched his forearm. "Agnarr, we need to think of them!" She gestured to their children as her voice began to crack. "Even if we stay, can you guarantee their safety?"
Agnarr bit his lip and peered at the Jedi. Before he could answer, more insurrectionists barged in from the opposite wing. Armed with blasters, they opened fire as Yelena and Willo activated their lightsabers. While the Jedi deflected incoming blasts, the royal family fled further upstairs. Their greatest fears were realized as more foes emerged from the adjacent stairwell. Those loyal to the castle's defense had been either killed or captured. The mystery of it all terrified Yelena as she blocked a spray of wild lasers.
"There's too many of them!" she feared while backing up towards the stairs. "We can't stay here."
"
You can't," Willo asserted and Yelena's blood ran cold.
"What are you-"
"I can hold them off, but every moment counts," she explained. "Don't waste them!"
Yelena's eyes widened towards her former master and she nearly lost focus over the laserfire. "I can't just leave you!"
"I've lived a full life!" Willo shouted and unleashed a mighty Force push. Her powers sent both sides of insurrectionists temporarily tumbling back. "You are young," she panted. "And the future of this planet hinges on your choices."
"Be there to make them with me," Yelena implored as her heart thundered.
"I will be," Willo assured. "I'll be with you through every breath of my teachings. Let the Force guide you!" Yelena slowly backed away as her reality sunk in. Blasterfire erupted once more and Willo rose to counter the attacks. "You know your path, child!" she yelled while Yelena ran up the stairs. "Now follow it!"
Yelena struggled to hold back tears as her old master held the line. Her heart ached when the hum of Willo's lightsaber silenced. She used thoughts of the royal family to spur her onward and Force-pulled a bookshelf to block the stairs. Yelena sprinted towards the upper hangar and caught up to the royals just in time.
"Knight Yelena," Agnarr uttered. "Where is Master Willo?" Her mournful glower said it all as he stared back down the corridor. "This has to stop," the king intoned. "It must be faced head on."
"And what of our girls?" Iduna asked, pondering his reasoning.
"Go with Knight Yelena and get them to safety," Agnarr intoned.
"I'm not leaving you to face this alone!" Iduna protested.
Realizing they were at an impasse, Agnarr let down his guard. His gaze listed between their ship outside and the incoming rioters. "I have to believe that there's still good in them," he said. "No matter what happens...no matter what lies our enemies tell...the people need to know who we really are."
Iduna bit her lip as she thought about all of Aren. She considered the lives of every persecuted Northuldran and Troll if they were to leave. As she looked at her frightened children, all she wanted was a greater future for them. "Yelena," she said. "Can you get them to Coruscant?"
"You're
staying?" Yelena blurted. "Your majesties, this was not what Master Willow wanted. Not what she di-" Yelena held back upon noticing Elsa's worried face. "I implore you, please leave."
Iduna softly shook her head and observed her whimpering baby. A lone tear rolled down her cheek as she placed a firm kiss on Anna's forehead. Iduna then handed the child to Yelena. "Give them what we couldn't," Iduna said. "Please." Before the Jedi could answer, Iduna knelt before Elsa. "My sweet, sweet girl," she continued. "I will love you forever."
"Why are you saying that?" Elsa worried as she and Agnarr held her tight. "Mama? Papa?"
"Don't do this," Yelena haplessly suggested. With the king and queen's minds made up, all she could do was look at the baby in her arms.
"You know your path, child." Master Willo had said in her final moments. "Now follow it!" In truth, Yelena was still trying to make sense of it all. As the insurrectionists closed in, all she could do was prioritize what lives she could save.
"Elsa," Yelena said while cradling Anna. "This way." She rushed out onto the platform while Agnarr remotely extended the ramp. She then hurriedly rushed the baby inside and set her down. Only then did Yelena realize that Elsa was nowhere to be found. Unable to start the ship, Yelena ran back outside to see Elsa standing between her and Iduna. As the king and queen braced themselves, they suddenly heard their child calling out.
"Mama! Papa!" Elsa whimpered.
"Go to the ship, darling." Iduna intoned as the rioters ascended. "Look away!"
Elsa didn't budge.
With a heavy heart, Iduna glanced back at Elsa and spotted Yelena on the ramp. The queen looked down at her empty palms and whispered, "Forgive me." In that instant, Iduna
Force-pushed Elsa across the platform and into Yelena's arms.
"Mama!" the princess screeched and flailed in the knight's grip. She cared little for her mother's revealed ability and was far too stressed about being separated from her. "Papa!" The insurrectionist charged forward as Iduna and Agnarr held hands to face them. Bracing for the worst, Yelena pulled Elsa back up the ship's ramp.
"Look away," Yelena reiterated the queen's words. "Look-"
A sudden storm of laserfire startled even her. Streaks of fiery red plasma illuminated the platform as Agnarr and Iduna's silhouettes flailed. Their bodies fell together, still holding hands for as long as they possibly could. Yelena's stomach dropped when she realized Elsa's head was
still facing forward. The toddler had witnessed the entire shooting and was transfixed on her parent's bodies. "No!" she screamed, weakening her body just enough for Yelena to drag her aboard. Moving quickly, the Jedi sealed the hatch and sprung to the cockpit. Lasers bombarded her hull as she raced to get airborne. Relief overwhelmed Yelena when the thrusters accelerated them towards the clouds. The blackness of space became their welcoming salvation as the ship spiraled out of orbit.
Sore and sweaty, Yelena took a deep breath to recompose herself. She glanced back at Aren's surface and was horrified to see smoke from the capital climbing high into the atmosphere. Fearing the insurrectionists could somehow still pursue, Yelena set coordinates for Coruscant and made the jump to lightspeed.
The ship's thundering hyperdrive was enough to get little Anna crying again. Hearing the infant's wails had Yelena feeling the gravity of their losses all over again. She stepped into the ship's medbay and checked on Anna. "Hey," Yelena whispered softly and cradled the baby close. "Shhh shhh. I've got you." As she rocked Anna, she noticed a medical droid on standby mode. Yelena turned it on and the droid's photoreceptors flickered with intrigue.
"How may I be of service?" it asked.
"Can you keep her calm for me?" Yelena asked and handed Anna to her.
"Certainly," the droid replied.
As she passed Anna over, Yelena searched the ship for her big sister. "Elsa?" she called while scouring the rooms. "Princess? Els-" Yelena froze upon nearing a storage room. A tremendous, spine-tingling clamor rang out from inside and had her scrambling over. It looked as though a wild nexu had torn the room to shreds. Crates were dented and hurled out of place. Their contents were torn open and disheveled beyond repair. The bars to entire shelving units had snapped, causing canisters to roll across the floor. And at the epicenter of all of this devastation...was Elsa. The child just sat there, bunched up into a ball with her face to the wall.
Only a sporadic Force repulse could create damage on such a scale. Yelena slowly approached while tiptoeing through the destruction. She knelt down beside the child and observed her blank stare. A consistent flow of tears glistened against her cheeks as Yelena whispered, "Elsa?" The princess didn't respond. Yelena cleared her throat and tried once more. "Elsa." There was no telling what was going on inside her head. Everything and nothing was passing through those wide and unblinking eyes. Yelena dared to put a hand on her and Elsa shuddered as if snapping out of a trance. "Elsa?"
"Wh-...who? What is-" Elsa stumbled back and crawled into a corner. While her body was going through subtle motions, only here eyes were in a heightened state of panic. It was as if she was trapped within herself. "Where am I? I- Who are-"
"Easy," Yelena whispered and raised a gentle hand. She backed off to observe the child's state as a whole. "You're on your parents' ship. How are you feeling?" she asked calmly.
Elsa completely missed her question and focused on the location. She ran her hands against the room's metal flooring as if longing to actually feel it. While her numb fingers were scraping against the grated surface, they might as well have been drifting through air. "Mama and Papa's ship?" she murmured. "When are they joining us?"
Yelena furrowed her brows at Elsa's last question. She stopped herself from uttering several sentences and delicately approached the situation. "Elsa," she began. "What's the last thing you remember about your Mama and Papa?"
Elsa pursed her lips and fidgeted with her braid. She forced a wobbly smile and said, "Mama's-...um...Papa's just...well...They're-" Her lips quivered and fidgeting intensified as she struggled to recall something. "Mama and Papa are...Mama and Papa are...Mama and Papa-" With each reiteration, Elsa's stress teetered. It was if she was unsure what to feel and instead felt nothing. Tears swelled in her eyes as she swallowed hard. "I-...I don't know. I-"
"Hey," Yelena assured in a soothing voice. "It's alright, little one. Do you know who
I am?" Elsa frowned and repeatedly shook her head. "That's okay. I'm Yelena. I'm a Jedi Knight and I'm going to take you and your sister somewhere safe." Upon hearing the news, Elsa threw herself into Yelena's arms and cried into her shoulder.
"I know so much seems so very scary right now," Yelena whispered while rubbing the child's back. "I'm scared too. But I promise that you and your sister are going to be well taken care of, Elsa...Dellian."
Tears fled Elsa's reddened eyes as her mouth was left agape. Yelena sniffled, barely able to keep herself composed as she continued. "You were silent for the rest of our flight back to Coruscant," she said. "Upon arriving at the temple, I took you before the Circle of Jedi Healers. You had-" Yelena swallowed hard. "-completely forgotten who your parents were. The healers deduced that witnessing your parents' deaths might have triggered severe, Dissociative amnesia. It was as if that life had become a void to you. When we could get you to speak, you could only recall that your parents were...somewhere. It was what you sought to preserve."
"I should've been there," Mattias lamented. "And not a day goes by that I don't regret it. We spoke with the council and agreed that you two would be placed in the same clan. When you came of age, we of Aren...would take you as Padawans."
Just looking at the sisters' faces was enough to have Yelena's heart sinking. "We put you under the Dellian alias to hide you from Aren's insurrectionists. I know this is a lot to take in," she said. "But I have to believe that the Force works in mysterious ways."
"Don't," Anna whispered, yet Yelena persisted.
"Your midi-chlorian counts showed that-"
"Banthacrap!" Anna snapped and slammed her fist on the couch. Yelena and Mattias sat up as she began her tirade. "All of these years," she huffed and glared at Mattias. "All of these kriffing years studying and learning from you. Thinking that my parents just gave us up to the Order. I made up so many stories for them. That they were drunkards who didn't want kids...or maybe hooligans with too many kids."
"Your parents were heroes," Mattias asserted.
"Hah!" Anna scoffed. "They died for nothing. If they just would've left with Yelena, who knows what could've happened? I would've met them! Elsa, wouldn't have been traumatized!" She jabbed a finger at her silent sister. "But no. They're heroes apparently." She shot Yelena a death glare. "And you, Master Yelena. You let them die."
"Anna!" Mattias scolded until Yelena put a hand up.
"Let her speak," the elder said. "She has every right to be angry."
"You're damn right I do," Anna hissed and scowled. "You should've gotten them out of there. I always knew you were the neglectful type with Elsa, but this...this is something else." Her words had Yelena battling back tears. Anna's rage boiled up as her face flushed with red. "I had a mom!" she yelled, letting her own tears flow. "A dad! And you took them from me."
"They made their choice," Yelena grieved. "As did I."
"Anna," Mattias intoned. "Yelena saved you and Elsa. She did what she could to fulfill your mother's promise. And where there is life, there is hope. Aren still stands, and-"
The master quieted as Anna backed away. "I can't take this," she muttered and tugged at her hair. "I don't want any of it. This is my life and it's what I choose. Just drop this ugly past and keep it the hell away from me!" Anna stormed out, leaving the masters to look at one another.
"She just needs some time," Mattias assured. They turned to Elsa, who was still reeling from the story.
Yelena took her time to sit beside her on the couch. "Elsa?" she whispered softly. "You don't have to hide your emotions for our sakes. You're allowed to be upset too."
Elsa slowly nodded and clasped her pale hands together. "So it's all true then," she uttered. "We are princesses of Aren." Yelena nodded in her peripherals. "I couldn't see it...but I felt it. And I think those feelings carried on through my actions." Elsa winced. "While I may have closed myself off from that period of my life, the pain never left. It was like a hole in my heart that I couldn't quite understand. But now I can see why I value life so much. Because I never want someone to suffer as I have, no matter who they are. I know it couldn't have been easy, but thank you for telling me the truth."
Yelena's nose wrinkled as her lower lip quivered. "Oh Elsa," she choked. "Can you...ever forgive me? Forgive us...for not telling you sooner? I just wanted to fulfill your mother's wish for you, and give you a good life."
"In my experience," Elsa began. "The idea of a good life is subjective. The pain-free existence we all seek is non-existent. Therefore, a truly good life is determined by the experiences we share and the bonds we make." Elsa turned to Yelena and held her hands. "The last thing I want to do is sever any more bonds. I forgive you, Yelena and Mattias." Her words had Yelena breaking down. The elder threw her arms over Elsa, just as the young princess had to her years ago. As they held each other in a tight embrace, Mattias noticed Elsa waving. "Come on," she said and beckoned him over. As he joined them for a group hug, he only wished that Anna was with them.
Once they parted from one another, Elsa said, "I want to go back. If what I've heard about Aren's current state is true, then I wish to see it for myself."
Yelena firmly nodded and finally agreed. "I will take you," she said. "The council will likely disapprove of delving into Aren's affairs, so we will go under the guise of a meditative retreat."
Mattias smirked, "I'm proud of you, Yelena. Getting all secretive."
"I learned it from you," she teased.
As Yelena and Elsa coordinated their trip, Mattias stepped out to place a call on his holocomm. When Anna didn't answer, he sighed and reminded himself to give her time before calling again.
Anna's silenced holocomm lit up with Mattias' third missed call. Her utility belt swayed against the lower end of a rocking bedpost until a stray, bare foot kicked it off. As the belt clattered to the floor, so too did Hans collapse against Anna. His toned, sweaty body fell atop her as they snuggled beneath the blankets and caught their breath. Hans' heavy pants tickled Anna's ear and he dipped his head to kiss her neck. She exhaled deeply as he rolled over and spooned her. He wrapped a firm arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Feel better?" he whispered, nipping at her earlobe and flashing a lustful smirk.
"Getting there," she replied and stared off into the darkness of his room.
Hans' eyes widened. "Just getting there? After everything I-" He huffed frustratedly and firmly kissed her freckled back. "Anna," he urged. "You gotta let that crap go."
"Easier said than done," she countered and rolled over to face him. "You try just finding out that you're Aren royalty and your parents are dead."
Hans' nostrils flared as he bit back any ensuing jeer. "I'm sure it's a lot," he grumbled.
"No kidding," Anna groaned and frustratedly rubbed her temples. "Things were so much easier when my parents were imaginary deadbeats. I wish they'd never told me anything. Knowing hurts worse than leaving things a mystery."
Hans ran a hand through her disheveled locks and said, "I think I know just the remedy for that pain."
Anna glared at him. "I swear, if you say your lips-"
"Just wait here," Hans assured and shuffled out of bed. Anna sat up, clutching the blankets until they hugged her upper body. She watched as Hans' hunched over a plasteel container. The lightsaber scar across his back shifted with his rippling muscles. Anna raised a brow when she heard a peculiar clink from the container. Hans slipped back into bed with a bottle of deep green liquid.
"What is that?" Anna asked as Hans uncapped the bottle. She grimaced upon first whiffing the strong scent of alcohol.
"Junipera," Hans said. "I've picked up a few bottles from my missions to the Entertainment District." His subtle smirk faded when he noticed her concern. "After all this time, you still haven't had a drink?" Anna shook her head. "Not even with your clones?" Hans scoffed at her silence.
"I haven't needed to drink, okay?"
"Well look at you," Hans muttered. "All that pain. The gravity of it all pulling you down. Now you've got a reason to." He dipped the opened bottle to her. "Come on," he urged. "Trust me." Anna cautiously clutched the Junipera and took a swig of it. She immediately gagged and threw her head forward. Hans chuckled at her cough and remarked, "I was the same way after my first sip. It's strong stuff."
"It's disgusting," Anna griped, smacking her lips in a futile attempt to free them of the taste.
"Isn't all medicine?" Hans quipped. He boasted his tolerance and proudly took a swig of his own. He flashed a bold grin and tilted the bottle to her again. "You wanted an answer to your problems. Here it is."
Anna sighed and stared intently at the bottle. She ultimately reached for it and dared to sip again. The bitter and spicy beverage scorched her throat, yet she forced herself to keep going. "Thatagirl, Anna." Hans encouraged and tilted the bottle up to help her chug. "You'll feel better in no time."
A Jedi corvette thundered out of hyperspace. It spiraled through the vacuous and starry void of the Unknown Regions. As she traveled far into its northern sectors, Yelena embraced the route like an old friend. The master had been glancing over at her former student for the duration of their silent flight. As they soared across the emptiness, Yelena finally chose to speak up.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
Elsa sighed deeply and focused on their flightpath. "I'll be alright," she said. "I can't believe this is happening after so many years. Do you think returning to Aren could help me reconnect with my childhood memories?"
"If anyone can rediscover their past, it's you." Yelena assured. "You are mighty in the Force, Elsa. You always have been." Her confident smile faded as a thought dawned upon her. "Although, I must provide a word of caution." Elsa raised a worried brow as she continued. "I won't sugarcoat it. Aren has only gotten worse since the collapse of the monarchy. Those loyal to your parents were put to death. At least, any vocal supporters were. The rest submitted to the rule of Aren's Union." Yelena scoffed at the name. "Union...It's anything but. Aren's new president strives to truly unify its people, but war is all he's exemplified. Division and death run rampant while industrialization butchers Aren's natural beauty. I'm sorry to say all of this...I just wanted to prepare you."
Elsa nodded solemnly. "I appreciate it. Really I do. I-" She paused as a grim orb emerged across their viewport. "By the Force, is that?"
"It is," Yelena confirmed and began their descent. "There's a hidden route I've been taking for years. It'll get us past any Aren sentries."
Elsa braced herself as the ship pierced Aren's ravaged atmosphere. Thick clouds of smog billowed through the skies while they hovered over the landscape. Wide stretches of woodland had been stripped away and leaky, brutish machines gutted mountain bases. Bulky caravans could be seen traveling across misty frontiers and propelling explosives at unknown targets. Yelena kept their ship low while Elsa observed such desolation. The knight winced as she reached out with the Force and tapped into the planet's energy. She frowned, for it felt as though Aren was dying. Its ruling inhabitants were clawing at the planet's body and tearing it to shreds. They ravaged its terrain with machines of war and soaked its snow with innocent blood.
"Aren," Elsa whispered. "Surely this wasn't the world my parents strived to create. Nor the world they wanted Anna and I to inherit."
"They did everything they could to stop this," Yelena replied. "But what I said before was true. Where there is hope, there is life. So long as there are those unwilling to give up on what Aren could be, there will always be a chance."
Elsa smiled at the thought and asked, "Where are you taking us?"
"To the Northuldra," Yelena answered while landing the ship amidst the trees. "My people. Your mother's people."
"Where do they stand in all of this?" Elsa inquired as Yelena lowered the ramp.
"They remain at war with the Aren and have been pushed into hiding. As for their relation to us..." Yelena cringed. "I believe the chieftain's last words to me were 'And if you or that verminous apprentice of yours ever come here again...I will not hesitate to slit your throats.' or something like that."
Elsa forced a shrug and answered, "Lovely. And this doesn't concern you at all?"
"It isn't the first time Chieftain Honeymaren has threatened me," Yelena said. "It hasn't stopped my previous ventures and it won't stop me now. After all, she can't reject my help forever." Yelena led Elsa out of the ship and across the snowy woodlands. "Despite her increasingly hostile threats, I've always been able to see past them."
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.
"Being a good Jedi Consular means looking beyond initial reactions. You'd be surprised what people will say when they feel cornered, desperate, and afraid. Sometimes, it's in those tense moments that help is needed most."
Elsa's brows furrowed as they neared a forested cliffside. "Are...you sensing this too?" she asked while looking around them.
"Indeed," Yelena sighed. "Just remain calm. They won't hurt us."
Elsa watched as several fur-clad figures shifted from behind the trees. They slowly formed a perimeter around the Jedi and aimed their bows. Once Yelena nodded to acknowledge the Northuldra's presence, another group emerged with spears at the ready. As if being of the same mind, Elsa and Yelena raised their hands in surrender. The elder offered her former student a sympathetic smile as the Northuldra relieved them of their lightsabers.
The warriors bowed their heads as a hooded man leapt from one of the trees. He lowered his cloak and revealed his disappointed visage. "Chieftain Ryder," Yelena greeted.
His somber, blue gaze listed between her and Elsa. "What are you two doing here?" he lamented. "Honeymaren won't be happy about this."
"You let us worry about your sister," Yelena insisted while Elsa braced herself.
Ryder loosed a resigned sigh and ordered his warriors to escort the Jedi. They were taken deep into their cave and towards the Northuldra Enclave. While older clan members looked upon the Jedi with judgmental gazes, Northuldra youth maintained their curiosity and innocence. Elsa watched as shy children peeked from behind woven baskets and observed her unique robes. She offered a gentle smile until their parents ushered them away.
Unease filled the frigid air as a series of swift strikes reverberated across the cavern walls. A pair of ferocious silhouettes shifted alongside a roaring flame and clashed into one another. Theses swift combatants were surrounded by a circle of stern-faced elders. Their staffs clacked against each other until one of the fighter's stumbled. Her adversary swept his staff beneath her legs and forced her to the ground. As the woman fell, he held the tip of his staff to her neck.
"Yield," he panted as sweat trickled from his brow.
His opponent gritted her teeth and stared him down. Her weary grip ultimately loosened and she relinquished her weapon. Once she did so, her opponent helped her up and they turned to face a seated leader. Chieftain Honeymaren rose above the circle of elders. The nearby fire pit cast a fearsome glow across her dark eyes. "The challenge has ended," Honeymaren decreed. "Gilevo, as the challenger and victor, your honor has been restored. May your feud with Kosa be laid to rest." While Gilevo nodded to his chieftain, Kosa clutched her aching body. Honeymaren's lips curled into a scowl when she noticed Ryder's guests. Her furious face flickered beside the fire's glow as she stormed up to them. "What is the meaning of this?" she snapped.
"Chieftain," Yelena spoke up.
"Stay your tongue," Honeymaren hissed. Her spiteful gaze made its way to Elsa. "I told you to stay away! And instead you return with your underling." Honeymaren looked Elsa over from head to toe and scoffed. "So-" she murmured and unsheathed a hunting knife. Elsa didn't budge as Honeymaren waved the knife in her face. "This is who you abandoned your people for? You can watch her die first."
"Sister?" Ryder worried as Yelena prepared to defend her former student.
Before either of them could intervene, Elsa dared to speak up. "If you kill me, you will spill Northuldran blood," she said.
Honeymaren's wrist twitched as she lowered her knife. "What?" she growled.
Yelena winced as Elsa went all in. "I am the daughter of Iduna."
Gasps echoed among the chieftains' people. While Ryder grew wide-eyed, Honeymaren laughed off Elsa's claim. "You lie, Jedi," she said. "All members of the royal family were executed during the revolution."
"I speak the truth," Elsa defended. "Yelena saved me!"
"Do you think this is the first time she's tried to spin a story like this to us? That she'd saved the 'sacred' daughters of Aren?" Honeymaren glared at her elder. "She'd do anything to be accepted by us, but her mistakes will never be forgiven. Especially as she sinks to new lows like this...lying to young girls."
Elsa shook her head and said, "But she's not-" Yelena stopped her from continuing. Sadness came over the elder's eyes as despair crept in.
"Here's the truth," Honeymaren declared. "Ever since the revolution, all we Northuldrans have known is war. We've been fighting to survive on the fringes of a world we seldom remember being beautiful. People like Yelena have been trying to fix the unfixable for years, but just can't get the basics through their heads. Survival is all we will ever have. This is our reality!"
"You don't believe that," Yelena asserted, matching the chieftain's intensity.
Her counter angered Honeymaren further. "And why wouldn't I?" she scorned.
"Because Elsa is still alive. I'm still alive, despite years of enduring your blind threats and being cast aside!" Honeymaren looked at her people as Yelena's tirade caught their attention. "You are strong, Honeymaren. I have never once doubted your abilities as a warrior nor as a leader. But the fact that you're willing to end your enemies and not me shows that there is fear of hope in you."
"Lies," Honeymaren grumbled.
"Truth!" Yelena intoned. "And you must stop running from it. You've lived in the darkness for so long that you fear what having an actual chance looks like. But this is it. Not just me, but the daughters of Iduna." Honeymaren shook her head in denial while Yelena nodded. "That's right. They both live, and together we can turn the tide. Make our home what it was supposed to be."
Ryder started to smile until his sister uttered, "No. I see what you're doing." She waved a hand to garner her people's attention. "Do not be deceived by these Jedi! Did Aren's President not promise us peace?" Her question spurred raucous boos. "Did he not promise to leave our lands undefiled? Our people unharmed? Were we not promised a better world after the revolution?" Her people turned into a flustered mob as Honeymaren thrived on their anger. "The Northuldra are done being taken advantage of. If these servants of the Republic have their way, they'll bring even more desolation to Aren!" Riding their wave of fury, Honeymaren spun and jabbed a finger at Yelena. "Get out," she snarled. "And take your pet with you."
"I am a Jedi," Elsa asserted and stood up to Honeymaren. "And you're quite ignorant for someone preaching about 'reality'." Honeymaren's eyes narrowed as Elsa continued. "Whether you like it or not, I am Iduna's daughter."
Feeling threatened and challenged in front of her people, Honeymaren violently shoved Elsa to the ground. She loomed over her and shouted, "You dare challenge my authority? Then fight me, Jedi." While the chieftain appeared mighty, Elsa could sense the brokenness and exhaustion behind her eyes. It was this sense that kept her from fighting back, for she could see the hidden fear. "Everyone knows the story," Honeymaren continued. "Iduna left us, just as Yelena did. The royal family is dead and I will not have anyone spreading false hope to my people. We've suffered enough."
Yelena knelt beside her companion and helped her up. "Come on, Elsa," she whispered as one of the Northuldra returned their lightsabers. "We're leaving."
While Elsa followed her old mentor out, she couldn't stop glancing back at the Northuldra. As Honeymaren stormed deeper into the enclave, Ryder observed the Jedi. He watched them with somber, yet hopeful eyes and stepped out of the cave.
Elsa stomped ahead of Yelena as they trekked through the woods. "Please wait," the master implored. "Elsa."
"Unbelievable," Elsa huffed while trudging through the snow. "How can people be so closed off? So stubborn?"
"They're in pain," Yelena replied. "They've been in pain."
"For too long!" Elsa snapped and turned to face the elder. They stood amidst an assortment of frosted trees while a river flowed beside them. "You should've-" Elsa bit her tongue and tried to sound less accusatory. "I wish you would've told me sooner. Maybe we could've gotten through to them."
"It's possible," Yelena sighed.
Elsa leaned against a nearby tree and asked, "How are you so calm about this?"
"Because I've been enduring this type of rejection for years," she said. "The Northuldra need time. But perhaps with you, Mattias, and Anna's added help...change will come."
Elsa slouched. "Have the Northuldra always been so hard-headed?"
"No, but sometimes it's easier to despair instead of building up false hope. Whether they see it or not, they need help. There's a difference between surviving and truly living."
Elsa nodded at Yelena's words and asked, "Do you think my parents did the right thing? Staying behind in an attempt at diplomacy?"
Yelena took a moment to answer. She thought back to that fateful day and said, "I don't know. But, I do know that they were wise beyond their years." Elsa watched with curiosity as Yelena removed the violet sash from her hip. She approached Elsa as their reflections glistened in the icy river. She gestured to the patterns lining its old stitching and said, "This sash was your mother's. Iduna was far too old to begin training by the time she'd tapped into her Force abilities. Still, I took it upon myself to train her in what I could. As a gift for my efforts, Iduna past this sash to me."
Elsa ran her fingers across its intricately-knitted designs. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
"When I look at this sash-" Yelena continued. "-I am reminded of the valiant woman that your mother was. She saw the best in people until the very end. In a sense, it's like she's still with me. Still with us."
As Elsa came to terms with all they'd endured, she focused on Yelena and tried to comprehend her pain. "Master Yelena," Elsa uttered and the elder peered up. "I never thanked you for saving my life all those years ago. No one could've predicted what the future would have in store, but I know you've done your best. And if my mother was still here, I think she'd be proud of you. Thank you, for all that you've done for me."
Yelena smiled faintly and looked into Elsa's eyes. "Thank you," she replied. "I couldn't have asked for a better apprentice and nobler friend."
As Elsa smiled back, she peered down at the sash and imagined Iduna holding it. What would you have thought of me, Mother? she thought. Would I have been enough in your eyes?
Elsa's pondering was cut short by an echoing crackle. She and Yelena were so focused on the sash, that neither even saw the distant muzzle flash. By the time Elsa even comprehended the sound, a scarlet projectile zipped in from between her and Yelena. Both of them had heard blaster bolts more times than they could count, but this shot had arrived so quickly. Elsa's blood ran cold as Yelena hunched forward. The sash slipped out of the knight's hands and folded against Yelena's sizzling torso. Smoke spewed from her robes as the master staggered back, clutching her abdomen.
"Yelena?" Elsa choked. Her former mentor could hardly get a breath out before plummeting into the river. "No!" Elsa screamed until a second sniper blast struck her back. Unlike its predecessor, this bolt packed an electrifying punch and brought Elsa to her knees. She twisted into a series of pulse-pounding convulsions until she ultimately struck the ground. Images of Yelena's limp body floating down the river haunted her dazed mind. Elsa had lost track of how long she'd been paralyzed against the snowy terrain. The ringing in her ears intensified as a set of heavy stomps neared her position.
A tall, robust silhouette loomed over and knelt beside Elsa. Despite her weakened state and blurred vision, Elsa could faintly make out the man's face atop his snowy, camouflaged coat. Slicked back hair...a thin, mustachioed scowl. "Y-...you," was all Elsa could whisper as her eyes fluttered.
Captain Bry Clayton slung a rifle over his shoulder and lifted Elsa's head up by her chin. He looked her dead in her weary eyes until she passed out. "Sweet dreams," he said.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's chapter and birthday special! As I celebrate another year of life, I want to take a moment to appreciate all of your support. None of this is possible without you.
The Dissociative Amnesia mentioned in this chapter is a very real and serious mental health condition. It is commonly associated with overwhelmingly stressful and traumatic events. Mental health should always be taken seriously and it's important to look out for one another.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-800-931-2237
Crisis Text Line: Text SUPPORT to 741-741
Mental Illness Hotline: 1-800-950-6264
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
I wish you all peace and I'll see you next week,
~ Michael